Hey Beautiful

Exactly two years, eleven months, and 22 hours to the day that Maddie entered this world, we finally cut her hair.  Prior to going, she kept saying that she "didn't want a headache."  How we persuaded her to change her mind, I don't recall. Anyway, here we go

Wow, that's a lot of hair.

Hey, where did it go?

This cracks me up.  She struck a pose after climbing out of the chair.

Naples - The Boat

On our last day, we got a break in the weather and were able to go out on the boat.  And we took Maddie with us.  I think it was her first time out.  She struck quite the pose.

When we finally made it out onto the Gulf, we stopped to go tubing only to discover that we did not have the proper tow-rope.  We swam instead, and how Juli managed to get Maddie into the water was a miracle.

Maddie is not comfortable in the water at the pool, and out in the Gulf where she could not see the bottom nor the shore, we expected it to be worse.  But to our surprise, she did well.  In fact, she found it quite enjoyable once she was able to sit upon the tube.  Notice Juli's expression.  She was exhausted from dealing with Maddie and Emma.  The girls are having quite a laugh since they didn't have to do any work to get onto the tube.  Or maybe it was because Maddie left Juli in a warm spot in the water.  Only they know for sure.

Some other fun moments of the afternoon:

Emma and Sam sharing secrets while on the tube

 
More of the same, except for the chit-chatting

Emma riding solo

"What do you mean there are sharks in the Gulf?"

Hello, ladies.

Naples Cont.

Over the last few years, we would set aside a day of fun and games.  You know, shenanigans and tomfoolery.  This year was no different.  The threat of rain and subsequent rain limited us a little, but nevertheless, we had fun.  This years theme, thanks to the Farley's, was Pirates of Vanderbilt Beach.  The adults would kill me if I posted photos of them so I'll stick with the little ones.  Maddie gives her approval.

Emma is giddy with excitement

What the heck, I'm not afraid of the adults.  Not these two at least.  Say hello to Family Jules and Scalawag Scott

Emma and Sam resting after the activities

Catchin' up

Where did our summer go?  It seems like it was just the beginning of our summer, and now it is late July.  Time really flies when you are having fun.  Speaking of fun, here is a recap featuring the annual Naples Beach Vacation.

Weather-wise, this year was a bummer.  When it wasn't raining, it was threatening rain.  What little amounts of sunshine we had, we took advantage.  Like with a trip to the water park where Emma displayed her high-dive skills.

Ben gets into the act.  He shows Emma the finer points of diving.

Unfortunately, by the time Em worked up the courage to dive, I had already put the camera away.  Her cousins, Samantha and Angela, not to be outdone, dove off the high dive, too.  The lifeguards were not impressed (I'm not kidding!!)  Lucky for them I did not have the camera.  Later on, I documented Emma's cannonball.

The lifeguards WERE impressed!!